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TIP Heroine Simona Broomes arrested, released on bail

Guyana Women Miners Organisation (GWMO) President Simona Broomes was Monday afternoon placed on station bail in connection with alleged assault and theft committed on a shopkeeper at Puruni in April during a Trafficking in Persons operation.

Shortly after she was released on GUY$10,000 station bail and told to return to police on September 7 pending advice by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Broomes denied the allegations by Ann-Marie Carter.

Broomes, who was arrested early Monday afternoon and released around 6 PM, believes that the allegations are politically motivated by a ruling party activist. “I know that it’s deliberate and I know it’s to send a message to me that I should stop. I expected it, I expect more and this is what I have to go through as a woman and a miner for standing up for children who are innocent,” she told reporters.

The GWMO President said she never assaulted Carter, including lashing her to her face with a 9 MM pistol, and stealing her six-ounce gold chain. “I think it’s just clean what I am doing. I have never assaulted her,” she said.

GWMO members at the CID compound were adamant that Carter was not wearing any gold chain at the time of the operation and said they had photographs to support their contention.

Broomes has been hailed locally and by the US for the work her organisation has been doing to rescue women and girls identified as victims of human trafficking in Guyana’s gold-rich interior.

Carter, of 84 First Avenue, Bartica was on August 21 charged with common assault allegedly committed on Broomes on April 21 at Tiger Creek. The incident allegedly occurred when Broomes and her team rescued four girls- ages 14, 15, 17 and 18.‘

Carter was placed on GUY$15,000 court bail but remained in custody because she was charged in June with forcing two girls into prostitution, stemming from the rescue operation in April.